The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-08-04
FROM THE GuN-DEcK.
A Jack Tar Writes Of the Hilton Head Expedite

Jack Tar Writes OF the Hilton Head Expedition.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE; In a recent
issue Corp'i Mallory Co. X. Sth Mich, gave an
interesting account OF the trip TO Hilton Head.
lis description Of the great expedition shows
that he was there at least aud j think he has
some idea Of what nice thing It is to be a
sailor By the way, he speaks of getting his
sea-legs on" but he should bear in mind that
old Neptune calls on all greenhorns to settle
with him on or before he crosses the line; and
this is why be takes away their appetite for the
old army bean and the salt junk Of the sailor.
Now, friond Mallory, can shake hands with
you, for j was there, aud was in the old steam
slOop MohicGn, Capt. Gordon, mounting guns
and carrying a complement of 200 men. She
was the third in line of battle, and followed in
the wake of the Susquehanna, frst-class side
wheel soop-of-war; the frigate Wabash being
the fAgship commanded by Admiral Dupont
There was only one frigate the rest being first
and secOnd-class sloops and gUDbOats.
As he says, the 9TH of November was lovely
day, and for a good many Of the blue jackets
one long 10 be remembered, for il was their
first time to be under fire, and was no excep-
ton TO the general rule. i was much amused
by the account Of the little Cat gunboat spoken
of by the Corporal that got up close to Fort
Walker and hosted shells into that fortifca-
ton. j believe the Mohican was the nearest to
that fort, for we were the only vessel that went
near enough 10 get aground, and were then
directly in front of the fort and about zoo yards
OF. We were ordered 10 lie down, for shots
were crashing through and through our ship as
though she was made Of tin. Just before this
happened one of our Third Assistant Engi-
peeH was killed at my side A heavy shot
struck him with a sickening sound, partly on
the Jaw and neck. taking q part Of his face
away, also the neck, leaving in the remaining
portion Of his mouth guild Of tobacco just
visible. II was sight never TO be forgotten.
When told TO lie down ] turned to the star
board side facing the battery. aud lying down
sthwsrt ship, head toward the fire and it was
my salvation, for had stretched out fore and
aft j would have got the dose the next man TO
me got.
The ship at this time was doing her best TO
back Of, and the Wabash had stopped to cover
us with her starboard guns. The roar was ter
rife, and as shots struck our noble craft she
reeled and trembled with the shock. while
smoke hung around MS in a cloud. Fortune at
this time was in our favor, and in few min
utes we were clear, and springing to our guns
we tossed our shells into the works like SO
many biscuits.
don't like 10 criticize the Corporal. for he
was too far away, but there was no water for
vessel to float in that the guns Of Fcrt Walker
could not reach.
In the last round the Mohican and several
where we obtained a raking position, and
while 80 firing dismounted several Of the rebel
guns and caused them 10 hoist the white flag.
An incident happened at this battle that
does not often occur. As we were passing Fort
BeaureGard 32-pound shot, fired from one Of
her guns, came In just forward the smoke
stack, penetrating the starbosrd bulwarks,
then through O range OF sand-baKs placed
around the ire-room hatch, through both sides
Of the hatch, then through another range Of
sand-bags on the port side Of the hatch. At
this juncture q tall Masters Mate passing for.
ward with long strides, had his tilnbers knocked
from under him by this bali going between his
legs. Down he went, not knowing what had
happened. BE finally sat up, rubbed his limbs
end concluded that he wasn't hurt after all.
The old salts laughed as they saw the 81
FOUNDER come rolling back from the waterway,
where IL had spent It's force and stopped along
side our noble Mate. Just then one Of the
jack tars grabbed the shot and started on a run
forward, where be showed il into a long broad
side gun, In which a charge Of powder had Just
been placed, and with a roar IL was sent flying
into Fort Walker. This shot come from Fort
Beauregard, stopped about 20 seconds with us
and then IL was sent on to Fort Walker What
Damage II did there woald be hard TO tell. but
this shot had an experience that Is not often
seen, and as Il went on its way rebelward a
prolonged cheer went up from our crew that
was taken up by one ship and another until IL
died away In some distant craft far down the
line.
Say, Corporal. did You notice from your posi-.
ton the Thousands Of shell boxes that came
boating down towards you, looking like long
string OF ducks? Toe water was covered with
them Tor miles away, for when the shell was
taken out the box was tossed overheard. /
would like 20 ask our friend Mallory IL be rec
objects the Tooth ROundbead Pa. regiment.
We had a boy placed aboard Of Us, some 10
years old, that had been brought out by them.
lie remained on the ship until she went home
In June, 1852, from the blockade of Fort
Sumter
Hoping 10 hear 81 some future time moro OF
the wancerings Of the sih Mich. and the COrpo-
raj, must close, for here comes the Boatswain
piping watch below to turn out "Avast heav.
ing-Belay J.. BLAIsDELL, u. S. s. No.
hican. Address omitted